A player's injury status can have a significant effect on both real-life and fantasy football.
Each week, PFF injury analyst Mario Pilato will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @PFF_Mario on Twitter.
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Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (+3)
| Name | Pos. | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Travis Etienne | RB | JAX | Foot | N/A | 0.0 | IR |
Mario’s take: Etienne suffered a Lisfranc injury on Aug. 23. He underwent surgery and will miss the 2021 season. The typical return-to-play timeline (RTP) is five to six months, so he should be ready for the start of the 2022 season.
The current over/under for this game is 45. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Washington Football Team (-2)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | LAC | Hamstring | RB7 | 11.8 | LP | |
| Curtis Samuel | WR | WAS | Groin | N/A | 0.0 | IR |
Mario’s take: Ekeler sent fantasy players into a frenzy earlier this week when he recorded back-to-back DNPs (did not practice). I was never concerned about Ekeler missing Week 1 — he suffered a hamstring avulsion in October of 2020, which usually requires surgery and has an RTP of four to six months. Instead, Ekeler got platelet treatment and only missed six games. This shows he is a quick healer and that he knows how to take care of his body. The Chargers were just being cautious with their star running back this week.
Fantasy Football Impact
Ekeler's hamstring injury has to push him down the Week 1 fantasy football rankings, with concerns he doesn't see a full workload. He is the RB18 in PPR per PFF's fantasy projections, which assume a lighter workload for the stud running back in Week 1.
The current over/under for this game is 45. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Seattle Seahawks @ Indianapolis Colts (+3)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Carson Wentz | QB | IND | Foot | QB29 | 15.7 | FP | |
| Parris Campbell | WR | IND | Achilles | WR67 | 7.6 | FP | |
| T.Y. Hilton | WR | IND | Neck | WR | 0.0 | IR | |
| Sam Ehlinger | QB | IND | Knee | N/A | 0.0 | IR | |
| Chris Carson | RB | SEA | Neck | RB15 | 11.6 | FP | |
| D'Wayne Eskridge | WR | SEA | Toe | WR82 | 7.8 | FP | |
| Rashaad Penny | RB | SEA | Calf | RB62 | 5.8 | FP | |
| Alex Collins | RB | SEA | Foot | RB79 | 2.2 | FP | |
| D.K. Metcalf | WR | SEA | Calf | WR8 | 16.2 | LP |
Mario’s take: Wentz is all systems go after having a small piece of bone removed from his foot. Wentz is not at risk of re-injury, but he might display a little lack of mobility as he works himself back.
Campbell has been dealing with a chronic Achilles injury. I expect him to play in Week 1, but it is concerning moving forward. This could very well be linked to last year's injury due to overcompensation.
Metcalf was a late addition to the injury report. He was labeled as a limited participant Friday with a calf injury. Late additions to the injury report are usually concerning, but I am not worried about Metcalf. He is good to go for Week 1.
The current over/under for this game is 48.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
New York Jets @ Carolina Panthers (-3.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Shi Smith | WR | CAR | Shoulder | WR130 | 1.7 | Out | |
| Keelan Cole | WR | NYJ | Knee | WR111 | 7.9 | DNP |
Mario’s take: Smith has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. It is not a serious injury and I expect him back in the next week or two.
Cole suffered an undisclosed knee injury during practice this week. Logging a DNP this late in the week is never a good sign. I am not optimistic about his ability to play in Week 1.
Fantasy Football Impact
Without Jamison Crowder, expect rookie slot wide receiver Elijah Moore to see an expanded role in the Jets passing game alongside Corey Davis. Moore becomes an even better play if Cole is ultimately ruled inactive. The rookie is a great way to save money in DFS for Week 1. Moore is WR50 in PFF's consensus fantasy football rankings.
The current over/under for this game is 45. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Minnesota Vikings @ Cincinnati Bengals (+3)
N/A
The current over/under for this game is 47. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans (-3)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Darrell Daniels | TE | ARZ | Toe | TE | 2.8 | FP | |
| A.J. Brown | WR | TEN | Knee | WR6 | 15.2 | FP | |
| Josh Reynolds | WR | TEN | Foot | WR91 | 7.2 | LP | |
| Darrynton Evans | RB | TEN | Knee | N/A | 0.0 | IR |
Mario’s take: Brown freaked fantasy players out when he logged a DNP Wednesday, but it should be of zero concern. He will play in Week 1.
Evans was placed on IR for a knee injury and he will miss at least the next three weeks.
The current over/under for this game is 53.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions (+8.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| D'Andre Swift | RB | DET | Groin | RB19 | 12.6 | FP | |
| T.J. Hockenson | TE | DET | Shoulder | TE6 | 11.0 | FP | |
| Brandon Aiyuk | WR | SF | Hamstring | WR23 | 13.1 | FP | |
| Trey Lance | QB | SF | Finger | QB34 | 2.9 | LP | |
| Jalen Hurd | WR | SF | Knee | N/A | 0.0 | IR |
Mario’s take: Swift has been dealing with a groin injury all preseason. He will be ready to go Week 1, but the bigger concern is who is blocking for him. Starting left tackle Taylor Decker has been placed on IR after getting surgery on his finger and will miss at least the next three weeks.
Aiyuk suffered from a “slight” hamstring strain but has been able to practice in full. He will play in Week 1. There is concern he could reinjury the hamstring due to the 70% reoccurrence rate within the calendar year.
The current over/under for this game is 46. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills (-6.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Emmanuel Sanders | WR | BUF | Foot | WR65 | 8.6 | LP | |
| Isaiah McKenzie | WR | BUF | Shoulder | WR116 | 2.4 | FP | |
| James Washington | WR | PIT | Finger | WR101 | 6.0 | LP |
Mario’s take: Sanders has been practicing in a limited fashion all week. He is a true game-time decision, but I am optimistic he can give it a go.
Fantasy Football Impact
Move Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis up the rankings without Sanders at 100%. Beasley and Davis both saw five targets from Josh Allen in the team's lone preseason game played together.
The current over/under for this game is 48. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| A.J. McCarron | QB | ATL | ACL | N/A | 0.0 | IR |
Mario’s take: McCarron tore his ACL and underwent surgery. He will miss the 2021 season but should be ready for 2022.
The current over/under for this game is 49. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | CLV | Knee | WR26 | 11.9 | LP | |
| Chase McLaughlin | K | CLV | Hamstring | K26 | 8.4 | FP | |
| Rashard Higgins | WR | CLV | Hamstring | WR107 | 5.5 | FP | |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | KC | Ankle | RB13 | 13.5 | FP | |
| Mecole Hardman | WR | KC | Oblique | WR54 | 10.0 | FP |
Mario’s take: Beckham was a limited participant all week. This is not shocking, considering he is coming back from an ACL tear. The star wideout has not participated in any contact all summer, so he is not in the same boat as Saquon Barkley. The superstar WR will test it pregame before the Browns make a decision. I expect OBJ to his return from injury in Week 1.
Edwards-Helaire was dealing with an ankle sprain suffered in the preseason. It was first rumored to be a medial or high-ankle sprain. He has avoided the dreaded injury and is good to go for Week 1.
Fantasy Football Impact
Start OBJ, who is WR26 in PFF's consensus PPR fantasy football rankings for Week 1.
The current over/under for this game is 54.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints (+3.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Tre'Quan Smith | WR | NO | Hamstring | WR77 | 0.0 | IR |
Mario’s take: Smith has been place on IR with a hamstring issue. He will miss at least the next three weeks. I believe Smith is suffering a Grade 2 strain — the RTP is three to six weeks.
Fantasy Football Impact
Marquez Callaway is projected to be the most-rostered wide receiver on the DFS slate, and that’s chalk I’ll buy into. Outside of Alvin Kamara, there is simply no competition for targets on the Saints offense without Smith, and Callaway has earned Jameis Winston‘s trust. Through two preseason games, Callaway was targeted on 50% of his routes run while generating a perfect passer rating when targeted.
Some might shy away because of a potential “shadow matchup” against Packers’ stud cornerback Jaire Alexander, but that’s not the case. Alexander hasn’t shadowed anyone since Week 7 of last season. Also, PFF’s WR/CB matchup chart projects Callaway to see more of Kevin King and Chandon Sullivan than Alexander.
The current over/under for this game is 49.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Denver Broncos @ New York Giants (+3)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | DEN | Knee | WR37 | 10.3 | FP | |
| Noah Fant | TE | DEN | Knee | TE8 | 8.5 | FP | |
| Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | DEN | Knee | TE47 | 3.2 | FP | |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | NYG | Knee | RB14 | 14.1 | LP | |
| Kenny Golladay | WR | NYG | Hamstring | WR41 | 10.7 | LP | |
| Kyle Rudolph | TE | NYG | Foot | TE31 | 8.2 | LP | |
| Kadarius Toney | WR | NYG | Hamstring | WR90 | 6.5 | LP | |
| Evan Engram | TE | NYG | Calf | TE37 | 0.0 | Out | |
| John Ross | WR | NYG | Hamstring | WR | 0.0 | IR |
Mario’s take: Sutton tore his ACL early in the 2020 season. He has looked great in the preseason and will make his post-injury debut in Week 1.
Barkley suffered a torn ACL, partial meniscus tear and sprained MCL last season. There was concern he would miss Week 1 but he will play. However, the Giants do have three games in 14 days, which could have implications.
Golladay has been dealing with a hamstring issue for the majority of the preseason. He missed a major part of last season with a hamstring issue. There is a 70% reoccurrence rate in the calendar year. I expect Golladay to play Week 1, but there is risk for reinjury.
Ross has been placed on IR with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He will miss the next three to six weeks.
Fantasy Football Impact
Simply put, running backs need volume when trying to overcome surrounding variables like bad offensive lines and strong run defenses. Barkley faces both of those challenges in Week 1. Without any reassurance of a full three-down role coming back from his injury, he’s relegated to fantasy RB2 status.
The current over/under for this game is 41.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (-3.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| DeVante Parker | WR | MIA | Shoulder | WR51 | 12.4 | FP | |
| Preston Williams | WR | MIA | Foot | WR103 | 4.0 | OUT | |
| Albert Wilson | WR | MIA | Quadricep | WR95 | 2.7 | FP | |
| Salvon Ahmed | RB | MIA | Back | RB60 | 2.3 | FP | |
| Nelson Agholor | WR | NE | Ankle | WR63 | 9.3 | LP | |
| N'Keal Harry | WR | NE | Shoulder | WR | 1.6 | IR |
Mario’s take: Williams has been working his way back from foot surgery. He started the preseason on the PUP list. He has been a limited participant all week. I am cautiously optimistic he gives it a go in Week 1.
The current over/under for this game is 43.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Chicago Bears @ Los Angeles Rams (-7.5)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Darnell Mooney | WR | CHI | Back | WR57 | 9.2 | FP | |
| Damien Williams | RB | CHI | Abdomen | RB50 | 6.9 | FP | |
| Cam Akers | RB | LA | Achilles | N/A | 0.0 | IR |
Mario’s take: Mooney has been dealing with a back injury, but I expect him to play in Week 1.
The current over/under for this game is 46.5. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
Baltimore Ravens @ Las Vegas Raiders (+4)
| Name | Position | Team | Injury | Fantasy Rank | Proj. points | Fri. Status | |
| Gus Edwards | RB | BLT | Knee | N/A | 0.0 | IR | |
| J.K. Dobbins | RB | BLT | Knee | N/A | 0.0 | IR | |
| Miles Boykin | WR | BLT | Hamstring | N/A | 0.0 | IR | |
| Rashod Bateman | WR | BLT | Groin | N/A | 0.0 | IR | |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | LV | Toe | RB24 | 11.3 | LP |
Mario’s take: Dobbins and Edwards tore their ACLs. They will miss the 2021 season but they will be ready for the 2022 season.
Boykin and Bateman have been placed on IR with a hamstring and groin injury, respectively. They will miss at least the first three weeks, but I expect them back shortly after.
Jacobs has been limited with a toe injury all week. The Raiders have brought in some backs to try out. I don’t have a ton of confidence in Jacobs' health being 100%, but I do believe he plays Monday night.
Fantasy Football Impact
Start Ty’Son Williams. Ravens beat reporter Jeff Zrebiec expects the team to give him every opportunity to be the team’s starting RB1, and that means we are going to see him receive serious volume in Week 1.
As the leader of the Baltimore backfield — even with the addition of late-addition of Latavius Murray — Williams is going to see at least 15 touches, which is more than enough for him to inflict damage on the Las Vegas Raiders’ 26th-ranked defensive line.
Some might want to follow a wait-and-see approach, as Williams was nothing more than a complete afterthought behind two talented running backs in Baltimore. However, Williams was PFF’s fifth-highest-graded rusher in the preseason and 0% of his 25 rushing attempts went for negative or zero rushing yards. The kid has flashed talent and should have ample opportunity to absolutely smash this weekend.
Ravens new RB1, Ty'Son Williams
– PFF’s fifth-highest graded rusher in the preseason
– 0% of his 25 rushing attempts went for negative or zero rushing yards.
– most importantly… has juicestart him vs LV.
trade for him if you missed out on waivers. pic.twitter.com/G2gH90yinj
— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) September 11, 2021
The current over/under for this game is 50. PFF Greenline uses exclusive game and player data to make projections on NFL game spreads, moneyline, and over/under.
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